--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Some enterprising rabbit had dug its way…" description: "\"“Some enterprising rabbit had dug its way under the stakes of my garden again. One voracious rabbit could eat a cabbage down to the roots, and from the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/907/diana-gabaldon-185_claire-fraser_some-enterprising-rabbit-had-dug-its-way_3080650.jpg" --- # Some enterprising rabbit had dug its way under the stakes… ![“Some enterprising rabbit had dug its way under the stakes of my garden again. One voracious rabbit could eat a cabbage down to the roots, and from the looks of things, he'd brought friends. I sighed and squatted to repair the damage, packing rocks and earth back into the hole. The loss of Ian was…” quote by Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/907/diana-gabaldon-185_claire-fraser_some-enterprising-rabbit-had-dug-its-way_3080650.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/907/diana-gabaldon-185_claire-fraser_some-enterprising-rabbit-had-dug-its-way_3080650.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/907/diana-gabaldon-185_claire-fraser_some-enterprising-rabbit-had-dug-its-way_3080650.jpg) > ““Some enterprising rabbit had dug its way under the stakes of my garden again. One voracious rabbit could eat a cabbage down to the roots, and from the looks of things, he'd brought friends. I sighed and squatted to repair the damage, packing rocks and earth back into the hole. The loss of Ian was a constant ache; at such moments as this, I missed his horrible dog as well. I had brought a large collection of cuttings and seeds from River Run, most of which had survived the journey. It was mid-June, still time--barely--to put in a fresh crop of carrots. The small patch of potato vines was all right, so were the peanut bushes; rabbits wouldn't touch those, and didn't care for the aromatic herbs either, except the fennel, which they gobbled like licorice. I wanted cabbages, though, to preserve a sauerkraut; come winter, we would want food with some taste to it, as well as some vitamin C. I had enough seed left, and could raise a couple of decent crops before the weather turned cold, if I could keep the bloody rabbits off. I drummed my fingers on the handle of my basket, thinking. The Indians scattered clippings of their hair around the edges of the fields, but that was more protection against deer than rabbits. Jamie was the best repellent, I decided. Nayawenne had told me that the scent of carnivore urine would keep rabbits away--and a man who ate meat was nearly as good as a mountain lion, to say nothing of being more biddable. Yes, that would do; he'd shot a deer only two days ago; it was still hanging. I should brew a fresh bucket of spruce beer to go with the roast venison, though . . . (Page 844)”” [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The narrator describes a struggle to protect crops from rabbits, reflecting on loss, resilience, and improvisation in gardening. **In simple terms:** Protecting a garden while coping with grief. Key Takeaway Adapt and protect. Themes grief resilience resourcefulness Mood reflective somber Type narrative philosophical When to use this quote - gardening - farm management - emotional coping Key Concepts perseverance ecology loss Questions to Reflect On - What alternative methods could protect the garden? - How does grief influence daily tasks? A Different Perspective Rabbits may still damage despite deterrents; not all solutions work. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Claire fraser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/claire-fraser/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Jamie fraser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jamie-fraser/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Outlander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/outlander/) [Rabbit Dug](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rabbit-dug-5253010/) [Rabbits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rabbits/) [Rabbits Away](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rabbits-away-5253011/) [Rabbits Jamie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rabbits-jamie-5253012/) [Rabbits Wouldn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rabbits-wouldn-5253009/) ## Related quotes > [Where did you learn to kiss like that?” I said, a little breathless. He grinned and pulled me close again. “I said I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/where-did-you-learn-to-kiss-like-that-i-said-a-little-breathless-he/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [Jamie," I said, "how, exactly, do you decide whether you're drunk?" Aroused by my voice, he swayed alarmingly to one side, but caught himself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/jamie-i-said-how-exactly-do-you-decide-whether-you-re-drunk-aroused/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“My own eyes went to Jamie, who had come to join Fergus and Ian by the sideboard. Still here, thank God. Tall and graceful,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/my-own-eyes-went-to-jamie-who-had-come-to-join-fergus-and-ian-by-the/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“For the moment, everything had disappeared: the church, the battle, the screams and shouts and the rumble of limber wheels along the rutted road…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/for-the-moment-everything-had-disappeared-the-church-the-battle-the/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“What's that you're doing, Sassenach?" "Making out little Gizmo's birth certificate--so far as I can," I added. "Gizmo?" he said doubtfully. "That will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/what-s-that-you-re-doing-sassenach-making-out-little-gizmo-s-birth/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [I had one last try. "Does it bother you that I'm not a virgin?" He hesitated a moment before answering. "Well, no," he said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-had-one-last-try-does-it-bother-you-that-i-m-not-a-virgin-he/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“For my sake,” he said firmly, addressing the air in front of him as though it were a tribunal, “I dinna want ye to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/for-my-sake-he-said-firmly-addressing-the-air-in-front-of-him-as/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“Jaime," I said softly, "are you happy about it? About the baby?" Outlawed in Scotland, barred from his own home, and with only vague…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/jaime-i-said-softly-are-you-happy-about-it-about-the-baby-outlawed-in/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“You're the best man I ever met," I said. "I only meant...it's such a strain, to try and live for two people. To try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/you-re-the-best-man-i-ever-met-i-said-i-only-meant-it-s-such-a-strain/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“Because I wanted you." He turned from the window to face me. "More than I ever wanted anything in my life," he added softly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/because-i-wanted-you-he-turned-from-the-window-to-face-me-more-than-i/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“I know what it felt . . . like when I . . . thought you were dead, and-" A small gasp for breath,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-know-what-it-felt-like-when-i-thought-you-were-dead-and-a-small/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“What . . . fellow?” The wind was cool, but I could see sweat trickling down the back of Jamie’s neck, dampening his collar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/what-fellow-the-wind-was-cool-but-i-could-see-sweat-trickling-down/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“Jaime, you must be half-dead" He laughed tiredly, holding me close with one large warm hand on the small of my back. "A lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/jaime-you-must-be-half-dead-he-laughed-tiredly-holding-me-close-with/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“When you took me from the witch trial at Cranesmuir--you said then that you would have died with me, you would have gone to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/when-you-took-me-from-the-witch-trial-at-cranesmuir-you-said-then/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“A trained surgeon is also a potential killer, and an important bit of the training lies in accepting the fact. Your intent is entirely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/a-trained-surgeon-is-also-a-potential-killer-and-an-important-bit-of/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) ## More by Diana Gabaldon > [Alright, all right," I said. "What if I tell you a story, instead?" Highlanders loved stories, and Jamie was no exception. "Oh, aye, "…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/alright-all-right-i-said-what-if-i-tell-you-a-story-instead/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [There were moments, of course. Those small spaces in time, too soon gone, when everything seems to stand still, and existence is balanced on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/there-were-moments-of-course-those-small-spaces-in-time-too-soon-gone/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [If it was a sin for you to choose me . . . then I would go to the Devil himself and bless him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/if-it-was-a-sin-for-you-to-choose-me-then-i-would-go-to-the-devil/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [When I turned 35, I thought, 'Mozart was dead at 36, so I set the bar: I'm going to start writing a book on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/when-i-turned-35-i-thought-mozart-was-dead-at-36-so-i-set-the-bar-i-m/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [I stagger out of bed, take the dogs outside, and then I'll get a Diet Coke and a couple of dog biscuits and go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-stagger-out-of-bed-take-the-dogs-outside-and-then-i-ll-get-a-diet/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“It was…hard. I didna call out, or let them see I was scairt, but I couldna keep my feet. Halfway through it, I fell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/it-was-hard-i-didna-call-out-or-let-them-see-i-was-scairt-but-i/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [I have all the time and space in the world when I write a book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-have-all-the-time-and-space-in-the-world-when-i-write-a-book/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [I discovered that, given the indescribable nature of what I write, the only way to sell it is to give people free samples.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-discovered-that-given-the-indescribable-nature-of-what-i-write-the/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“We are bound,you and I, and nothing on this earth shall part me from you."One large hand rose to stroke my hair. "D'ye mind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/we-are-bound-you-and-i-and-nothing-on-this-earth-shall-part-me-from/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [I think characters are going to be, if not a reflection of the author, at least some refraction of some part of their personality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-think-characters-are-going-to-be-if-not-a-reflection-of-the-author/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [My husband asked me once why I read so many mysteries, and part of it is just intellectual, part of it is the joy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/my-husband-asked-me-once-why-i-read-so-many-mysteries-and-part-of-it/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“My Da says you’re never drunk, so long as ye can hold on to the floor.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/my-da-says-you-re-never-drunk-so-long-as-ye-can-hold-on-to-the-floor/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [When you're an artist, you can't write with the intent of affecting anyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/when-you-re-an-artist-you-can-t-write-with-the-intent-of-affecting/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“But a man is not forgotten, as long as there are two people left under the sky. One, to tell the story; the other,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/but-a-man-is-not-forgotten-as-long-as-there-are-two-people-left-under/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“I didn’t answer, occupied in dissolving the penicillin tablets in the vial of sterile water. I selected a glass barrel, fitted a needle, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-didn-t-answer-occupied-in-dissolving-the-penicillin-tablets-in-the/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) [Explore all 952 Diana Gabaldon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) ## More Claire fraser quotes > [“A trained surgeon is also a potential killer, and an important bit of the training lies in accepting the fact. Your intent is entirely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/a-trained-surgeon-is-also-a-potential-killer-and-an-important-bit-of/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“When you took me from the witch trial at Cranesmuir--you said then that you would have died with me, you would have gone to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/when-you-took-me-from-the-witch-trial-at-cranesmuir-you-said-then/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“Well,“ I said, attempting a smile, “at least we know Frank is safe, after all.” Jamie glowered down at me, ruddy brows nearly touching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/well-i-said-attempting-a-smile-at-least-we-know-frank-is-safe-after/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“Here I stand on the brink of war again, a citizen of no place, no time, no country but my own . . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/here-i-stand-on-the-brink-of-war-again-a-citizen-of-no-place-no-time/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“Brave' covers everything from complete insanity and bloody disregard of other people's lives - generals tend to go in for that sort - to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/brave-covers-everything-from-complete-insanity-and-bloody-disregard/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [I was born for you" -Claire Fraser, Outlander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-was-born-for-you-claire-fraser-outlander/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“Where are you going?" I asked, as Frank swung his feet off the bed. "I'd hate the dear old thing to be disappointed in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/where-are-you-going-i-asked-as-frank-swung-his-feet-off-the-bed-i-d/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“Jaime, you must be half-dead" He laughed tiredly, holding me close with one large warm hand on the small of my back. "A lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/jaime-you-must-be-half-dead-he-laughed-tiredly-holding-me-close-with/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“What . . . fellow?” The wind was cool, but I could see sweat trickling down the back of Jamie’s neck, dampening his collar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/what-fellow-the-wind-was-cool-but-i-could-see-sweat-trickling-down/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“I know what it felt . . . like when I . . . thought you were dead, and-" A small gasp for breath,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-know-what-it-felt-like-when-i-thought-you-were-dead-and-a-small/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“Fat-heided creatures, the Carmichaels," she said judiciously. "Loyal enough, but stubborn as rocks." "Thus sayeth a Fraser," I remarked. "The Carmichaels must be something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/fat-heided-creatures-the-carmichaels-she-said-judiciously-loyal/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“Because I wanted you." He turned from the window to face me. "More than I ever wanted anything in my life," he added softly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/because-i-wanted-you-he-turned-from-the-window-to-face-me-more-than-i/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“You're the best man I ever met," I said. "I only meant...it's such a strain, to try and live for two people. To try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/you-re-the-best-man-i-ever-met-i-said-i-only-meant-it-s-such-a-strain/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“Jaime," I said softly, "are you happy about it? About the baby?" Outlawed in Scotland, barred from his own home, and with only vague…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/jaime-i-said-softly-are-you-happy-about-it-about-the-baby-outlawed-in/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“For my sake,” he said firmly, addressing the air in front of him as though it were a tribunal, “I dinna want ye to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/for-my-sake-he-said-firmly-addressing-the-air-in-front-of-him-as/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) [Browse all 34 Claire fraser quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/claire-fraser/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Some enterprising rabbit had dug its way under the stakes of my garden again. One voracious rabbit could eat a cabbage down to the roots, and from the looks of things, he'd brought friends. I sighed and squatted to repair the damage, packing rocks and earth back into the hole. The loss of Ian was a constant ache; at such moments as this, I missed his horrible dog as well. I had brought a large collection of cuttings and seeds from River Run, most of which had survived the journey. It was mid-June, still time--barely--to put in a fresh crop of carrots. The small patch of potato vines was all right, so were the peanut bushes; rabbits wouldn't touch those, and didn't care for the aromatic herbs either, except the fennel, which they gobbled like licorice. I wanted cabbages, though, to preserve a sauerkraut; come winter, we would want food with some taste to it, as well as some vitamin C. I had enough seed left, and could raise a couple of decent crops before the weather turned cold, if I could keep the bloody rabbits off. I drummed my fingers on the handle of my basket, thinking. The Indians scattered clippings of their hair around the edges of the fields, but that was more protection against deer than rabbits. Jamie was the best repellent, I decided. Nayawenne had told me that the scent of carnivore urine would keep rabbits away--and a man who ate meat was nearly as good as a mountain lion, to say nothing of being more biddable. Yes, that would do; he'd shot a deer only two days ago; it was still hanging. I should brew a fresh bucket of spruce beer to go with the roast venison, though . . . 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